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Those deeming it their duty to defend and protect Pakistani culture fail to realise that culture cannot be static.

Illustration by Creative Unit.

When sometime in the early 90s, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan teamed up with Peter Gabriel to create the kind of music never heard before, qawali aficionados accused him of selling out and distorting a traditional form of devotional music. More recently, the proliferation of private television channels and access to foreign programmes on cable, both operating in a fairly free and unregulated media environment, has intensified once again the debate about ‘Pakistani culture’. Fears are frequently expressed about the corruption of our historic and authentic culture. Some, in fact, mourn the death of culture at the hands of invaders from across the border, or even beyond – from the western world. Conspiracy theorists, of course, see the influence as a premeditated attack on the pristine Pakistani culture.

Those deeming it their duty to defend and protect Pakistani culture fail to realise that culture cannot be static, trapped in some romantic notion of a glorious past. The ‘purists’ whose intentions and concerns may be noble are, nevertheless, fighting a losing battle. From art to music, from architecture to literature, the world is witnessing a fusion of cultures. And while some music bands may experiment with the idea of ‘fusion’, the process is not always deliberate. In most cases, it is a fait accompli of history. The influences and intermingling of cultures is just getting swifter as the world is getting smaller.

There are also frequent complaints of the lack of an official cultural policy. While some governments in the past did make attempts to lay down certain principles of policy, the futility of this exercise in an era of culture without borders is pretty clear. This does not, however, absolve the government of supporting cultural activities and, above all, ensuring an environment that promotes creativity.

It also has the responsibility of promoting the forms of art considered ‘classic’ that may not find support in a fast-paced world. However, people strive for individual creative freedom and the idea of being put into some form of a cultural straitjacket is surely not appealing. Official definitions of culture have the inherent danger of pandering to chauvinistic tendencies.

Pakistan is a relatively young country on the map of the world, although its cultural history dates back to over 5,000 years ago, to the Indus Valley civilisation.

The region absorbed the thoughts and cultures of many travellers in transit – whether they were the invading Greeks and Mughals or the peaceful Buddhist rulers and monks.

To expect the country to have anything that may be termed ‘Pakistani’ culture is non-sequitur. Moreover, the fact that the country is enriched with a mind boggling array of subcultures that differ – and mingle – from region to region is not appreciated by those who would like to see a monolithic form of Pakistani culture.

Our culture today is hybrid and enriched by cross pollination.

The experiments in creativity that we see around us in this country today should make us proud. Whether it is painting, music or literature, the young who have soaked in experiences of various cultures are boldly experimenting with both form and substance.

In each of these areas, they are successfully redefining Pakistani culture and earning for the country a place on the world stage. They have demonstrated that culture is something vibrant, full of vitality and in a state of perpetual evolution.

Although today the world is more aware of the mistakes of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Mao did make one inspiring statement when he exhorted the Chinese nation to “let a thousand flowers bloom”.

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Comments (17)

All said and done, do you deny that present day performers are only after money and they do not have any connection with arts and they would not touch art with ten foot barge pole.They do not take any pride in the art history of the country. They are prepared to distort and mutilate the art of the country whether it is in print or audio visual electronic media. The performers are not artists and only artisans and out to make quick buck/

putho madreNov 23, 2017 06:26pm

You sure do have a point.

vivekNov 23, 2017 06:31pm

Wonderfully observed and written article! T

KiranNov 23, 2017 06:57pm

The point of Indus civilization and calling anything Pakistani culture is too early .. these are strong points .. the world is a global village no culture is in it's pure form bacause of cultural integrations and new experiments being done by the new minds.

samNov 23, 2017 07:35pm

There are power full forces in Pakistan who do not want any change in the masses mindset is all I can say.

ammarNov 23, 2017 08:03pm

Emmnn, dont agree with certain parts of article. World of ourse is a global village. But we are muslims and thats what the baseline should be. Whether its arts, clothing, festivals or anything; muslims are blessed. So if we get to know what we are gifted with, we will automatically know our limits to stay in

LousynewspaperdawnNov 23, 2017 09:15pm

Yes

AkuNov 23, 2017 11:22pm

Culture thrive on values. A nations identity thrives on its culture. Culture would evolve for sure but we should not lose our identity or values. Sad to see today how lowly we have become, blindly copying west. This is not cultural evolution, it is a culture degradation.

Syed Anjum AliNov 24, 2017 01:54am

Well written. Cultures and civilizations keep on evolving. Those that don't , become fossilized and die.

M. EmadNov 24, 2017 02:31am

Agriculture is the Pakistani top culture.

Jalaluddin S. HussainNov 24, 2017 06:55am

As a Canadian of South Asian origin I agree with the writer 100 percent!

A. KNov 24, 2017 08:13am

Yes cultures do change but they should change for the better...not adopt vulgarity and immorality

RPKNov 24, 2017 09:20am

the invading Greeks and Mughals or the peaceful Buddhist rulers and monks. ..... Something is missing!

FarhanNov 24, 2017 09:39am

@Kiran Culture creation is a long long process and sustenance through civilization for centuries. 70 years is too short time to manufacture a culture.

M. EmadNov 24, 2017 11:34am

56% population rejected the official ‘Pakistani culture’ in 1971.

ChandraNov 26, 2017 06:22pm

Culture is a regional practice, it should not be politicised or nationalised.

JA-AustraliaNov 27, 2017 01:42am

The article is quite ironic, since Pakistani illiberals froth at the mouth when they see any Pakistani speak Arabic.

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